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Indian Lake Watershed Project "Improving Indian Lake One Drop at a Time!" |
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Picture Courtesy of "Bellefontaine Examiner"
What is a watershed? The definition of a watershed from Webster's dictionary is "a region or area bounded peripherally by a divide and draining ultimately to a particular watercourse or body of water". Everyone lives in a watershed and all of the actions we take affect the watershed in which we live as well as all areas downstream. When we understand how the components of a watershed work, we can appreciate how conservation practices affect our environment.
The Indian Lake Watershed Project (ILWP) is a nationally recognized project that has made significant water quality improvements during its 15 year existence. It is managed by a local board of directors made up of watershed residents, Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, businessmen and women and elected officials. In 1998, they requested and received 501 (c) 3 designation. Since then an endowment for water quality improvement has been established. There has been a 1000% increase in dues paying membership in the past 5 years. Membership is over 800 in 2005 and expected to increase to approximately 1000 by 2007. The watershed project has been successful in decreasing nonpoint source problems on many areas of agricultural lands, but there are still problems needing the attention of lake users, businesses and stakeholders owning property adjacent to the lake and the streams feeding the lake. The best way to continue to further reduce sedimentation into Indian Lake is to reduce stream bank and shoreline erosion. This would also continue to reduce the need for dredging and would save taxpayer's dollars. Consequently, a healthy and viable tourism-based economy has emerged second only to agriculture in West Central Ohio and in the Indian Lake region specifically. Today, the Indian Lake State Park officials estimate nearly 2-million visitors annually. Year around residency is at an all time high. New business and commercial development are starting up all around the lake and throughout the surrounding counties. Local villages like Belle Center, Lakeview and Russells Point have undergone either major downtown revitalization programs or capital improvement investments to better accommodate the needs of residents and lake users. In 2001 the Indian Lake Watershed Project and other local non-profits formed Logan County Leave-a-Legacy®. Numerous attorneys, estate and financial planners and lending institutions from throughout the county are partnering with the watershed project to inform clients of the need to: leave a will, designate a power of attorney and make charitable donations. Currently the Indian Lake Watershed Project has the following funds: ILWP Endowment Fund - An account managed by a local financial planning consultant. These funds remain untouched including interest for use in the future. As of February 23, 2007 the Endowment Fund total was $172,011.04. Education Fund - A fund used periodically to further the Nature Center Program and to defray part of the State Park's costs of employing a Naturalist. ILWP Scholarship Fund - A fund to assist eligible students in the area to further their education in a related field of study. To date the Memorial Scholarship Fund has provided assistance to two area students. General Operating Fund - A fund that supports the day-to-day office operations. Donations to these funds can be made anytime during the year. The Indian Lake Watershed Project is a membership organization. It is a project goal for 2007 to achieve 1000 dues paying members. Membership to the organization is $10.00 annually. If you are an individual who is interested in improving the water quality of Indian Lake, take the time to be among the already 750 members who care about the future of Indian Lake and join today. Fill out the membership form and mail with your check for $10.00 to ILWP, 324 C.R. 11, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
The mission of the Indian Lake Watershed Project is "to facilitate and promote actions that will improve the water quality for the benefit of recreation, agriculture, wildlife and other users of the Indian Lake Watershed aquatic resources".
To Contact Us: Indian Lake Watershed Project 324 County Road 11 Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 Phone: 937-593-2946 Fax: 937-592-3350 e-mail: vicky.boots@oh.nacdnet.net
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